Teacher Resident Special Education

Applications Due to Intrinsic Schools: May 25, 2022
Applications Due to Relay Graduate School of Education: June 20, 2022
First Day of Teaching: August 1, 2022

ABOUT INTRINSIC SCHOOLS
Intrinsic Schools operates two exceptional public schools open to all students in Chicago with no tuition, entrance exams or other selective criteria. We believe young people learn best when they collaborate, feel a deep sense of belonging, and set and monitor progress toward individualized goals. Our revolutionary new model for public education prepares all students for postsecondary success and world-changing endeavors. 

At Intrinsic, students learn to think, solve, communicate and reflect while also building Empathy, Perseverance, Identity and Curiosity - our EPIC Core Values. We team teach in “POD” classrooms, redefine the role of teachers, and use technology in new ways to deliver tailored instruction to all students, who graduate with a plan dedicated to their own interests, goals and choices. Other differentiators include: 

• Strong Academic Results 
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Family Participation 
• Administrative / Back Office Support
• Collaboration with Teachers, Administrators, Researchers in Chicago and the U.S. 
• Award-Winning Facilities 
• Consistent, Invested Senior Leadership 

We’re growing and looking for passionate people to join our team. Intrinsic teachers help design modern schools that reflect today’s opportunities and student choices. Teachers also work closely with peers and families, and both of our schools are located in convenient neighborhoods in Chicago.

WHY TEACHER RESIDENCIES, WHY NOW
At Intrinsic Schools, 19% of our students have an individualized education plan (IEP) and families routinely seek us out for the range of services and settings we are able to provide via our unique academic model. Across the country and in Chicago, there is an urgent need for special educators. This Teacher Residency program will help address this need and encourage people who are passionate about serving young people to advance in their careers – in an affordable way! – while working closely alongside other special educators.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY: Changing Careers
Intrinsic’s Teacher Residency program is designed for people working all sectors - many outside of education - who aspire to teach and are willing to 1) make a two-year commitment to attending graduate school while teaching full-time at Intrinsic and 2) make an additional two-year commitment to teach at Intrinsic Schools, once the program is complete. 

Candidates will apply to the program in Spring 2022, and if accepted will enter the program as Teacher Residents and work as a special educator at Intrinsic starting in Fall 2022. Most undergraduate majors qualify, and the Relay Graduate School for Education provides a foundation for Teacher Residents to support a wide range of learners while training. Ultimately, the program prepares Teacher Residents to pursue full-time roles available to special educators at Intrinsic and in Illinois. 

Financial support for the program will come from Americorps and Intrinsic Schools, and the out-of-pocket cost to Teacher Residents is only $2,400 over two years. Teacher Residents will earn a Master’s Degree in Teaching, Special Education while being paid as a traditional full-time teacher ($54,000). At the end of the two-year residency, Teacher Residents will have earned their LBS1 certification to teach students with a wide range of disabilities. Two years after completing the program, if the Teacher Resident is still working at Intrinsic, we will reimburse them for the remaining $2,400 in out-of-pocket tuition expenses.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY: The Role of Teacher Resident
Intrinsic Schools is hiring for exceptional educators, and we have partnered with the Relay Graduate School of Education to offer a two-year Teacher Residency program for professionals from all sectors who aspire to make a career change to teach full-time. 

Our goal: To create a new pathway to teaching for smart, mission-driven people who have already graduated with an undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Candidates will be looking to make a career change, open to learning more about opportunities in public education, and willing to make a two-year commitment. Resident Teachers will:

• Earn both a master’s degree in teaching and Illinois teaching certification for a maximum cost of $2,400. 
• Be hired immediately as a full-time teacher, in a team-teaching setting supported by at least one other teacher. 
• Immediately receive a first-year teacher benefits and salary of $54,000.
• Work to become certified and hired as lead teachers within two years. 
• Support students in one of the following settings: 
  • In one of our larger “POD” classrooms, alongside two general education teachers of math or Humanities.
  • As one of two co-teachers in a science or social studies class.
  • As a support to students in smaller, separate classes. 
• Have the chance to grow professionally while helping teach our diverse learners, one of the highest-need, hardest-to-staff, biggest-impact content areas at Intrinsic, in Chicago and the U.S.
   

FINANCES BENEFITS
Financial support for the $24,000 program will come from Americorps and Intrinsic Schools, and the out-of-pocket cost to Teacher Residents is only $2,400 over two years. Teacher Residents will attend school while working and being paid as a traditional full-time teacher ($54,000 to start). At the end of the two-year residency, Teacher Residents will have earned a master’s degree and their teaching certification in special education. 

• Resident Teachers will pay only $2,400 of the total two-year cost of $24,000. Americorps pays $12,000 (50%) and Intrinsic pays $9,600 (40%). This leaves Resident Teachers with out-of-pocket tuition costs of $2,400 (10%). 
  • Two years after completing the program, if the Teacher Resident is still working at Intrinsic, Intrinsic Schools will reimburse them for the remaining $2,400 in out-of-pocket tuition expenses. This means for many, the cost of earning a master’s degree and teaching certification is $0. 
• Teacher Residents complete the two-year program with:
  • Master of Arts in Teaching, Special Education.
  • Professional Educators License (PEL). 
  • If special education, the LBSI endorsement from the Illinois State Board of Education – i.e., the Illinois certification to teach students ages 5-21 with learning disabilities. 
• Teacher Residents help fill a teaching spot where student need is the greatest while also increasing their own job security and future options.
   

RESPONSIBILITIES
Resident Teachers will work closely with school leaders at either the Downtown or Belmont Campus. They will also collaborate closely with other teachers and with the families of the students they teach. Other requirements include the following:

• Most Teacher Residents will come from entry- to mid-level jobs in non-education sectors or from non-teaching roles within education. 
• Over the two-year program, Teacher Residents will quickly but thoroughly develop new teaching skills, with close guidance from Relay professors and a designated Intrinsic mentor. 
• Throughout Year 1 of the program, Teacher Residents will take on an increasing amount of responsibility by leading various elements of the Intrinsic PODs – our classrooms. 
• In Year 2 of the program, Teacher Residents are eligible to work in more in-school settings and take on even more responsibility. 
• Relay coursework generally requires 8-10 hours per week above and beyond teaching, during evenings and weekends. 
• During the summer between Years 1 and 2, Teacher Residents will complete a one-week session with Relay. Resident Teachers get the pick of one of two weeks - likely during the last instructional week of school in June, or one week in mid-July. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Undergraduate degree in nearly any subject with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
• Willingness to change careers.
• Interest in teaching full-time in a middle or high school setting.
• Willingness to commit at least two years to the program – working as full-time teacher and attending school during evening and weekend hours, as well as one full week in the summer.
• High expectations of self and colleagues.
• Track record of achieving goals.
• Warm and welcoming demeanor.
• Willingness to learn new things and approach work with curiosity.

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Informational call with Intrinsic Schools 
2. Submit formal application 
3. Interview
4. Reference checks
5. Offer

We will accept applications on a rolling basis with a final deadline of Wednesday, May 25, 2022. Please learn more and apply online at www.intrinsicschools.org/careers or contact Maya Pencheva, Director of Human Resources, at mpencheva@intrinsicschools.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Intrinsic Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Intrinsic Schools ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or disability. Intrinsic Schools has a policy of active recruitment of qualified minority teachers and non-certified employees. Any individual needing assistance in making an application for any opening should contact the Department of Human Resources.

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